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www.QV500.com - Saleen S7 Part 4: S7-R 2001 American Le Mans Series |
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Besides the Daytona and Le Mans 24 Hour events, Saleen's motorsport programme included entering a works-supported S7-R in 2001’s American Le Mans Series. Once again it would be up against the Pratt & Miller Corvette's and a batch of well-proven Viper's. Absent from the opening race in Texas, Saleen’s #26 S7-R was ready for Round 2, the Sebring 12 Hours. Entered by Konrad Team Saleen in a white, purple and blue Giesse livery, Borcheller, Gavin and Konrad took a stunning GTS class victory despite having previously only completed only a three hour test. |
| Round 3 at Sears Point saw Borcheller take pole in a black, white and yellow car but while lying second, a persistent gearbox problem forced a slower pace and the trio finished 16th overall for third in class. The next two race's saw Konrad Team Saleen’s now white and turquoise S7-R retire with an engine failure in Portland and then finish eighth overall for second in class at Mosport. This was followed by a 13th overall and third in class at Mid Ohio, Borcheller having once again set pole and led until being rammed by a Joest Audi R8. After another victory at Laguna Seca in Round 7 where the Saleen won by almost a lap from Chevrolet's works Corvette's, Borcheller had managed to force himself into contention for the Driver's Championship with just one race left to run - Road Atlanta’s 1000-mile Petit Le Mans. Just eleven points behind championship leader Ron Fellows in the Driver's standings, Borcheller needed to win and for the Chevrolet number one to finish no higher than fifth in class. As it turned out, Fellows was disqualified when a mechanic touched his car while it was still out on the circuit, a starter motor having burned a wiring harness to leave him stranded. Cruising home to 13th overall and second in class, Borcheller took the 2001 Drivers crown and Saleen’s first title with the S7-R. |
Rd. |
Circuit | Drivers | Team | Overall | GTS |
2 |
Sebring 12 Hours | Borcheller / Konrad / Gavin | Konrad Team Saleen | 8th | 1st |
3 |
Sears Point | Borcheller / Konrad | Konrad Team Saleen | 16th | 3rd |
5 |
Mosport | Borcheller / Konrad | Konrad Team Saleen | 8th | 2nd |
6 |
Mid Ohio | Borcheller / Konrad | Konrad Team Saleen | 13th | 3rd |
7 |
Laguna Seca | Borcheller / Konrad | Konrad Team Saleen | 6th | 1st |
8 |
Road Atlanta | Borcheller / Konrad / Seiler | Konrad Team Saleen | 13th | 2nd |
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